The nine-member board of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) had resigned en masse in protest against alleged political interference just ahead of a nationwide election due to be held on April 30.

Iraqiya state TV, quoting election commissioner Gaata al-Zobaie, said on Sunday that the board had retracted its collective resignation.

The commissioners rescinded their resignations "after talking with regional and international" organizations, including the United Nations, a diplomatic source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

IHEC said it had found itself caught between conflicting rulings from parliament and the judiciary regarding the exclusion of certain candidates from the election.

Members of the commission said the conflict stemmed from divergent interpretations of the electoral law, which includes a clause allowing for candidates "of ill repute" to be barred from taking part.

RA/MB